Railway switch operating apparatus



May 3, 1938. H. l.. BONE RAILWAY swrTcH OPERATING APPARATUS Filed Nov..19, 1956 4 sheets-'sheet 1 HIS ATTORNEY 4 N w MN5 QWMWNO w www5 .l O 1 GNN, uvm, LN G .N

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H. L. BONE May 3, 1938.

RAILWAY SWITCH OPERATING APPRATUS 4 .Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 19, 195snINVENTOR Herb@ ATTRNEY HIS May 3, 1938. H. 1 BONE 2,115,901

RAILWAY ySWITCH OPERATING APPARATUS Filed Nov.- 19, 1936 v 4sheets-sheet 3 NVENTOR Herb@ L .50129.

H15 ATTORNEY 1-1. 1 BONE RAILWAY SWITCH OPERATING APPARATUS Filed Nov.19, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 lNvENToR Herb@ L .501210.y

HIS ATTORNEY Patented May 3, 1.938

PATENT oFFica 2,115,901 RAILWAY SWITCH OPERATING APPARATUS Herbert L.Bone, Forest Hills, Pa., assignorv'to I The Union Switch & SignalCompany, Swissvale, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania ApplicationNovember 19, 1936, serial No. 111,641

37 Claims.

My invention relates to railway switch operating apparatus, andparticularly to apparatus for l operating switches of the type which areadapted to be trailed. One object of my invention is to 5 provide meansfor biasing the movable rails of a spring switch to one extreme positionin such manner that when a train trails the switch and displaces themovable rails from such one extreme position, the biasing means willbecome effective 'to urge the movable rails to their opposite eX- tremepositions until after the train has completely passed the switch,whereupon the biasing means will again become effective tobias themovable rails to such one eXtreme position.

Other objects of my invention will appear as the description proceeds.

I will describe one form of apparatus embodying my invention, and willthen point out the novel features thereof in claims.

2- In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a top plan View, partly crosssectioned, showing a spring switch A provided with one form of switchoperating apparatus embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged topplan view of the biasing mech- 25 anism D shown in Fig. l, the cover 25band a portion of the mechanism being removed to better illustrate theconstruction of the remainder of the mechanism. Figs. 3 and 4 aresectional views taken substantially on the lines III-HI and IV-IV,respectively, of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a top plan view similar to Fig. 2showing the position of the parts of the biasing mechanism D when theswitch is moved from its normal position to a reverse position by atrailing train. Figs. 6

and 7 are diagrammatic views showing the resultant force which isexerted on the switch points by the spring connecting rod and biasingmechanism D during various operating conditions.

Fig. 8 is a View similar to Fig. 2 showing a modified form of biasingmechanism which may be used in place of the mechanism D shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 9 is a top plan view showing a switch A provided with another formof switch operating apparatus embodying my invention. Fig. 10 is anenlarged top plan view of the biasing mechanism D1 shown in Fig. 9.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of theseveral views.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the reference char- -acter A designates arailway switch, and the reference character B designates a device foroperating the switch A. The switch A comprises, as usual, two fixedrails I and Ia an-d two movable rails or switch points 2 and 2a, theswitch points 55`- -being connected together adjacent their tips by ahead rod 3. When the switch occupies its normal position, in whichposition it is shown in Fig. 1, the'movable rail 2a engages the fixedrail Ia land the movable rail 2 is spaced a slight distance from the'xedrail I. When the switch is re` versed, however, the movable rail 2 thenengages the xed rail I and the movable rail 2a is spaced from the fixedrail Ia.

The operating device B,as here shown, comprises a switch stand 5having'itsbase 5a spiked or otherwise secured to the ties adjacent theswitch A. A gear shaft 6 is journaled in the switch stand and carries acrank 'I and a gear segment 8. The gear segment 8 meshes with a piniongear 9 keyed to a pinion shaft I0. The pinion shaft I extends through,the side of the switch stand and has attached to its outer end theusual weighted switch throwing lever I I.

The crank 1 of the switch throwing device B is connected with .the headrod 3 of switch A byv means of a link I2 and a spring connecting rod C.The spring connecting rod C may have any suitable form, but in thewell-known form here shown, this connecting rod comprises a cylindricalhousing I4 having a lateral extension I4a fa'stened to the front rod 3.The left-hand end I4b of the housing I4 has a smaller diameter than .thebody of the housing, while the right-hand end is threaded to receive .acap I5 having ran end I5a similar to the end'lllb. Slidably mounted inthe opening in the end Mb is a sleeve I6 provided with an annular flangeIla located within the housing Ill, and similarly mounted in the openingin the end I5@ is a sleeve I1 provided with an annular flange Ila,located within the housing I4. A spring rod I3 extends .through bothsleeves I6 and I1 with suiiicient clearance to permit the rod to slidefreely in the sleeves, and this rod carries a compression spring 20which engages the sleeves at the annular anges and urges the sleevestoward the positions in which the annular flanges I6a of the sleeve I 6engage the shoulder formed on the inside of the housing I4 by the endIllb, and the annular flange Il8L of the sleeve Il engages the shoulderformed on the inside of the cap I5 by the end I5. spring rod I3 isprovided with an annular shoulder I3a for at times engaging the outerend of the sleeve Il and with a nut I8 for at times engaging the outerend of .the sleeve I 6. The

The-

spring rod I3 is also provided with a nut I9 for locking the nut I8 inan adjusted position. The right-hand end of the spring rod I3 ispivotally attached to the link I2. D

The apparatus thus far described is well-known of the crank 3I.

ties 4to which the switch operating device B is Secured, On the side ofthe switch opposite tol`vlv the device B, and the top of vwhich isclosed by a removable cover 25h. Rotatably mounted within the casing 25in aligned bearings 2'I and v28,

formed respectively in the base 25Et of the casing 25 and in a bearingbracket 29 which is secured by means of cap screws 30 to inwardlyproject-.-

ing lugs 25C formed on opposite sides of the casing, is a crank 3l thelower end of which projects downwardly through the bottom of the casingand has fastened thereto, on the underside of the casing, an operatingarm 32. The operating arm 32 is connected by means of a link 33 with thehead rod 3 of the switch A in such manner that movement of the switchbetween its two extreme positions will cause rotation of the crank 3|be-` tween two extreme positions.

The toggle crank 3I is provided on the inside of the casing 25 with twopairs of vertically spaced oppositely extending arms, the lower pair ofwhich 3la and 3|b are formed integrally with the crank, and the upperpair of which 32a and 32b are removably secured to a square portion 3 IcThe arms 37|EL and 32EL are pivotally connected adjacent their outerends with the enlarged head 34a of a spring rod 34 forming part of atoggle spring unit S1, and the arms 3lb and 32b are pivotally connectedadjacent their outer ends with a trunnion 35 forming part of a togglespring unit S2.

The toggle spring unit S1 comprises, in addition to the spring rod 34, atrunnion 36 and a compressed coil spring 3I. The trunnion 36 ispivotally mounted at its lower end in the bottom 25a of the casing 25,and at its upper end in the bearing bracket 29, and is provided withy ahorizontally extending through hole which slid-f ably receives the freeend ofthe spring rod 34.

The compressed coil spring 3'! surrounds theY spring rod 34 between itshead 342L and the trunnion 36 and acts, through the medium of the springrod, to exert a force on the switch points which at times aids and atother times opposes that exerted on the switch bythe spring 20 of thespring connecting rod C, as will be made clear hereinafter. 1

Thertoggle spring unit S2 is similar to the gle spring unit S1 andcomprises in addition to the trunnion 35, a spring rod 38 which isslidably mounted at one end in the trunnion 35, a stop nut 38h, which isadjustably screwed onto one end of the spring rod, and a compressed coilspring 4D which surrounds the spring rod between its head 38'c1 and thetrunnion 35, and which acts to constantly bias the spring rod to theposition in which the nut 38b engages the adjacent side of the trunnion.

The head 38a of the spring rod 38 is pivotally vconnected with the shortarm 39EL of a latch crank 39 forming part of an electromagnetic latchmechanism. The latch crank 39 is pivotally supported intermediate itsends on a pin 45 mounted in the base 25a of the casing 25, and in thebearing bracket 29, and the long arm 39b of this crank tog- I isprovided with a wedge-shaped latch dog 4I, which, under certainconditions which will be made clear presently, cooperates with thebeveled upper end of the armature 42 of an electromag net M. Theelectromagnet M is secured to the side of the casing 25 by means of abracket 43, and has its winding connected with the rails I and la inYseries with a battery E in such manner that this magnet will becomeenergized whenever atrain occupies a track circuit which extends for ashort distance in both directions from the switch A. The armature 42 isbiased by gravity to a lower position in which its beveled upper end isout of the path of movement of the latch dog 4I, as shown in Figs. 3 and4, but is arranged to be moved, in response to the energization of thewinding of the electromagnet, to an upper position in vwhich its beveledupper end projects into the path of movement of the latch dog. It willbe apparent, therefore, that when the magnetM is deenergized the latcharm is free to swingr from a position on one side of the arma-V ture ofthe magnet to a position on the other side of thevarmature of themagnet, but that, whenV the magnet M is energized the latch arm is thenprevented from swinging past the position in which thelatch dog engagesthe armature of the magnet.

VThe operation of the apparatus as a whole is as follows: The parts areso proportioned that whenthe switch throwing lever Il of the switchoperating device B occupies its normal position in which it is shown onthe drawings, a force will be transmitted to the switch points throughthe medium of the link I2, spring rod I3, nut I8, sleeve I6, spring 20,housing I4, and head rod 3, which force will cause they spring 20 tobecome compressed and yieldably urge the switch points to their normalpositions, but that, when the switch throwing lever II of the switchoperating device B is rotated from its normal position through an angleof substantially a force will then be exerted on the switch pointsthrough the medium of the link I2, spring rod I3, shoulder I 3a, sleevelI'I, spring 20, and head rod 3, which force will compress the spring 20and cause it to .bias the .switch points 2 and 221 to their reversepositions. The parts are further so proportioned that when the switchoccupies any position between its mid stroke position andits normalposition, the spring 3'I of the biasing mechanism D will actpthrough thespring rod 34, toggle crank 3|, operating arm 32, link 33 and head rod 3to exert a force on the switch points, which force urges them to theirnormal positions, but that, when the switch points occupy any positionsbetween their mid stroke positions and their reverse positions, thespring 31 of the spring unit S1 will then act through the spring bolt34, toggle crank 3|, operating arm 32, link 33, and spring rod 3 toexert a force on the switch points, which urges the switch points towardtheir reverse positions.

It will be apparent, therefore,`that when the switch points are moved toeither their normal or their reverse extreme positions by the switchoperating device B, the switch points will be biased'to -such extremepositions by both the spring 2D of the spring connecting rod C and bythe spring 3I of the spring unit S1. It will also be apparentthat whenthe switch operating device B is operated to move the switch points fromeither extreme position to the other extreme position, the spring 3'I ofthe toggle spring unit S1 will exert af-force on the points whichopposes theirmotio'n until the points have been moved totheir mid strokepositions; i after which the spring 31 will then exertaiorce on thepoints which aids their motion. It will further-'be apparent that Vinorder to avoid excessive deflection V ofA the vspring=2il tof the springconnecting rod C` during' movement of V`the` switch points fromeitherloftheir extreme positions to--their other extreme positions, theparts will have-to .be so proportioned that the forceexe'rt'edonfthepoints by the spring? 20' @the-beginning ofwtheir movement will besomewhat greater -than-the opposing force whichf` is exerted on` the.:pointsb'yl the. spring`31v of the'toggle spring unitSl. Itzwill .be

understo'od,of-`course, that during movement of the switch points fromeither extreme position to the othe'rextreme position;` the-.magnet Mwill.-l be"deenergi'z'ed'so 'that the latch armr 39'Willbe; free torotate'- pastthis 'magnetg andithat asa:

result, thspringf'lof the toggle spring unit S2 will not vexert anyforce on' thesWitCh!v points under thesec'onditions'. l

If`will' now assume that the "partsaarenall in` their vnormal positionsin which' they are shown in'y the"drawingsi'andthat a -vehicle trailsthev switch.-`V Under these conditions, rais-the wheels of the vehicleroll alongthe xed rail Iig-*andthe movable Switchpoint -2, 'theswitchpoints` 2y and Zaiwill be forced toward their reverse 'positionsbythe Wheelaafnd since spring rod :I3 'of .-springf, connecting rod- C'is now v'heldstationary by. y'vir- ,i

tue of -'its connection'withwthelswitch operating device B, spring 20will ibecomfcompressed and will exert anincreased force on-theswitch'points. tending to 'restore them'to their-normal positions. AThemovement ofthe switchpoints toward their reverse positionsunder--theseconditions will alsok cause the toggle crank 3l to rotate in.aficounterl clockwise direction, a's'iviewed'inV Fig. 2, from itsnormal extreme position toward itsreverse extreme position, and' it willbe apparent,. there-l fore,` that during -the movement of-"the switchpoints to their mid stroke positions, the'spring 31V vof the togglespring unit--S1will exert a force on 'the switchvpoints' which aids thatA'exertedon theswitch points bythe spring 2U of the spring.l connectingrod'C in tending to restore the switch.

points to their-normalfpositions, but-.thatyas soon as the switchpoints. havebeen moved past thei'rmid strokepositionsfthe spring-31 ofthe toggle spring unitA S1 will then exert aforcel on the switchpointswhich opposes that exerted' on thepoints by the spring 20, andwhich assists in moving the points toward' their reverse positions. Itwill also -be apparent that during the movement fof thev switch pointsrtoward their Areverse positions the circuit for magnet M will bevcompleted by the wheels 'and'axlesof the vehicle so that armature 42 ofvmagnetfM'will occupy its'at-I- tracted position, and that,`as "aresult, assoon as theswitch pointshave been moved -a relatively shortdistance awayfrom their'norm'al po-A sitions, the force whichistransmitted to the latch crank-39 through the medium of'the togglecrank 3l and toggle spring unit S2 will cause this latch lcrank'torotate in a counterclockwise drection, as viewed in'Fi'g.-2, totheposition in which'the latch dog lll-engages the upper end ofthe armature42, as shown in'Fi'g.' `5. VWhen the latch crank reaches this position,the point oi' connection of the toggle spring'unitS2 with the latchcrank willbecome a-fixed fulcrum, andthe spring 40 of the togglespringun'it YSliwill, therefore, act'- to exert a fforce ona'theswitchpoints which opposes their =movement untilv the? toggle formed by thetoggle'crank 'and spring unit S2 has been-moved past its dead. centerposition,

whereupon the spring 40 of the toggle spring unit'. S2 will then act toexert a force on the switchV points which opposes that due to the spring20, and Which assists that due to the spring 31`in urging the points. totheir reverse positions. Due to the fact that the latch dog 4I does notengage the armature 42 until after the switch points have been movedaway from their normal positions a slight distance by the trailingtrain, the toggle formed by the toggle crank and spring unit S2 will'not reach its dead center position until the switch points have beenmoved a short dis-2 tance beyond their midstroke positions, and it willbe seen, therefore, that the spring 40 of the toggle spring unit SZ willnot become effectivel to assist in moving the switch points to theirreverse positions until the switch points have been moved some distancebeyond the position in which the spring 31 of thetoggle spring unit 'S1becomes effective to assist in moving the switch points'to theiryreverse positions. The stiffness of the springs 20, 31, and 40 are such,and the partsv are so proportioned, that the torce which is exerted onthe points by the spring 20 during movement of the switch points totheir reverse posil' tions will always be greater than that exertedonthe points by the spring 31, but that, the total force which is exertedon the switch points by i the twov springs 31 and 40 tending to urge thepoints to their reverse positions after they have been moved to within ashort distance of their reverse positions will exceed the opposing forcedueto the compressed spring 20, and will bear suiiicient to force theswitch points 2 and 2a to, and hold them in, their full reversepositions. The 'positions which the parts' of the biasing y mechanism Doccupy when the switch points have been moved to their full reversepositions, due to the train trailing the switch, are shown in Fig. 5.The yspring 4D of the toggle spring unit S2 will continue to be eiectiveto bias the switch points to their reverse positions as long asmagnet/M' remains energized, and magnet M will remain energized underthese conditions until after the train has completelypassed the switch.'It will be seen, therefore, that while a train isf trailingf the switchthere will be very littleV more wear on the switch points than therewould be on the switch points of an ordinary switch, and very much lesswear than there would be on spring switches of the usual type equippedwith the: usual type oil buffer. 'As soon as magnet M be- I comesdeenergized due to the train having passed out of the track circuit inwhich this magnet is included, the force holding the armature 42 in itsattracted position will be removed, and the reaction of the spring 40 ofthe ,spring unit S2 acting through the latch crank 39 will then forcethe armature 42 to its release position, thus al- Iowingrthe latch crankto swing in a counterclockwise ,direction past the position in which thelatch dog 4I engages the armature 42, and hencevk ceeds that exerted onthe points by the springk 31 ofthel toggley spring unit S1 ytending tohold:

the switch points in their reverse positions, the

switch points will immediately startter return to their normalpositions. YDuring this return movement of the switch points the togglecrank 3|1'r will be rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewedY 5r. inFig. 2, and as a result, as soon asthe switch' points have passed theirmid stroke positions, the spring 31 of the toggle spring unit, S1willbecome eiiective to assist the spring 'in restore' ing the points totheir normal positions. The l'clockwise rotation of the toggle crankwill also cause the latch arm L tov rotatein a:A` counter-y clockwisedirection to one extreme; position during the movement of theswitchpoints to substantially their mid stroke positions and to then15.'. rotate in a clockwise direction in such manner thatwhen the switchpoints have been restored; totheir full normal positions the armk 38willzbeA restored to the position in which it is shown'in Fig. 2; Itshould be noted that due to the loca- 20tion of the pivotal connectionVof the toggle spring 1 unitI SZ withthe crank arm 39, the toggle crankswings further on the counterclockwise direction side of dead centerthan it does on the clockwisedirection side. This disposition of theparts imakes it possible for the latch crank to be rotated to' theposition shown when `the parts occupy their normal positions and to havethe toggle spring unit S2'exert a force tending to hold the switch inits reverse' positionY when the switchV 3031s moved from its normalposition -pastits dead center position by a trailing train. The ,mannerin which the resultant force which is exerted on the switch points bythe three springs variesldur-v ning movement of the switch pointsY totheir re, i-verse positions by the trailing train is shown by the curvein Fig. 6, while the manner in which the resultant spring force which isexerted on the switch points duringmovement ofthe switch points to theirnormal positions from their re; ji-verse positions after a train'hastrailedthe switch varies is shown by the curve 46 in Fig. 6:

These curves are believed to be self-explanatory` and need not,therefore, be described in detail herein.

The biasing mechanism when the switch is` movedto its reverse positionby the switch operating device B is not arranged to provide the elec-vtric latchfeature, and its resultant advantages of pushing the switchpoints toward their normalnormal position depends upon whetherthemagnet-M is energized or deenergized during the trailing move, itbeing possible to provide contacts-on the switch operating device B fordeen- 'f'ergizing thisV magnet if it is desired that themag.-

netbe deenergized. If the magnet. M remains deenerg-ized, the effectiveforce whichis exerted on the switch points will be due entirely to thecombinedforces exerted on the points by the springs 3T and 29 and isrepresented by the curve 41 shown in Fig. 7. If the magnet M remainsenergized the latch crank will swing in a clockwise direction past thearmature 42, thus forcing the armature downwardly as the latch dogpasses I the armature and will then swing counterclockwise, as viewed inFig. 2, until the latchdog engages the armature, the downward movementof the armature under these conditions being due to the shape of theengaging faces of the latch '5g-dog and the armature. However, underthese conditior'is` sufficient, compression will". not be developed in.togglel spring'-- Sfl toL hold the. switch,v pointsin; their* normalpositions andthe switch points` will immediatelyy start, to returntoward their-reverse-positionsv as soonas each.y pair ot 5., wheelspasses thefpoints.` Howevenas. the switch points returnl toward; theirreverse positions the-- eiort; of.- spring 40,'y of toggle spring;y unitSlwill.- increase, until wh`en: the-switch points havebeenmovedpa.predeterminedvdistanceaway from-their 10; normal positins.,usually one inch, the tota-l force, exerted onl the s wit-chl points by,the two toggle'- springsand the; spring` 2li` of the springconnect-` ingrod C ,will be; in: al direction to prevent :Eur-l Vther movement-asindicatedby pointu. on curve 15` 48 lin Fig. 7.. Itffollows, therefore,that the switch points:- willj kick back' and iorth through a`relatively short portion of .the switch. stroke.- asthe train` trailsthe switch,l but` inasmuch as the ac.- tual-force. on; the; switchpoints tending to move 20;: them toward their reverse positions will.alwaysbe relatively-small,the; amount ofwear which `occurs ontheiswitcbs. points; under; these conditions will not be excessive:When.v theftrainfhas completely passedfthe switch andi they magnet M hasbecome 2d` deenergized, thef effort of toggle; spring unit S2 will:thenbe removed and the-.switch will` returntoits 'reverse position:v Theforces. which wouldy be exerted on the switch pointsrshould the-switchnot be stoppedatthe point'A a. during thetrailing. 3mi

movementy areindicatedby thef portionv of the curve 485 totherightf, of,the point a. The'switch. points, howevemwoulde never. move past thepoint4 a unless .the mechanism was out of adjustmentor wasv used' on aaswitch.` which had inherently an1 slr unusually greatl tendency toreturnto itsV initiallyv setfposition. y f

The use of thei spring; unit SL in. combination. with the spring unitiS? in thefmechanism- D.. in, the fmanner; previously described is.desirable, be,- cause it reduces to ai minimum the orcefwhchImustbeexerted bythespring# S2 in order. to force theswitch points to,and-holdl them in their full: reverse positionsswhilef a` train istrailing` the switch, and hencereducesto a minimum the size of!the-'magnet Mwhich-i must beprovided. with a' given,v lever ratiobetween thetwo, arms of. the latch' crank; 3.9f-in-,orden to insure theproper functioning of the latch mechanism;` It. shouldbe particularlypointed-out, however, that by proportioning` theparts inrsuch mannerthatwhen. the switch points are forcedi toward their reverse po.- sitions.by ay trailingV trainthe force whichl is thenv exerted onftheswitch;points by the spring; unit, ST2-,tending to; move the, points to.,their: fullv re- 55. verse positions willexceedf the.I opposing forceexerted on the switch pointsbyV the. spring con-.- necting rod, the useof-' the .spring unit S1 maybe dispensed with;l This construction isshown` in Fig. 8. Itis believed that'thefoperation of the. 60;-apparatus as a whole when this construction is employed'. will. beYunderstood from the foregoing and from an inspectionfofthe drawingswithout further.l detailed?v descriptiony @ne advantage of theconstruction. shown in 65, Fig. 8 iszthat. since thisfconstruction doeslnotl include; the spring; unit Sl, there is no opposing. force: on theswitchf'points.A which must be over-v comefwhen= the switch points aremoved from either extreme;- position,` to. the other extreme po sitionbyl means of thei switch operating device..

Referringfnow togFig.y 91 have here shown thev switchiA'operativelyfconnected with af. modirledf form! ofbiasingrmechanismwhich; is .designated as.

a: Whole; bynthe. reference character, D1, and the 7g.,

construction of which is such that the use of the switch op-eratingdevice B and the spring connecting rod C shown in Fig. 1 are renderedunnecessary. The mechanism D1 is illustrated in detail in Fig. 10, andas here shown, the arms 3|a and 32e of the crank 3|, instead of beingdisposed directly opposite the arms @lb and 32h as shown in Fig. 2, arespaced from the arms Sib and B2b by an obtuse angle, as measured in acounterclockwise direction, and are operatively connected with a springunit S3, similar to the spring unit S1, in such manner that the springunit S3 will exert on the shaft 3l a force which biases the switch toits normal position in all positions of the switch, and which force issubstantially the same in magnitude in both extreme positions of theswitch. Furthermore, as here shown, the upper end of the shaft 3| isextended upwardly through the cover 25b of the casing 25 and is providedon the outside of the casing with a squared portion 3ld which is adaptedto receive a removable hand crank 46 whereby the switch may be at timesmanually operated from its normal to its reverse position in a mannerwhich will appear presently. The remaining parts of the mechanism Dl aresimilar to the corresponding parts of the mechanism D, and need not,therefore, be described in detail.

Associated with the mechanism D1 is a normally open manually operableswitch 41 which is connected in parallel with the rails land la in thecontrol circuit for magnet M in such manner that when this switch isclosed, the magnet M will become energized regardless of Whether therails l and la are or are not occupied by a trailing train. y

The operation as a whole of the apparatus shown in Fig. 9 is as follows:When the switch occupies its normal position in which it is shownin thedrawings, it is held in this position by the force which is then exertedon it by the spring unit S3, and the parts are so proportioned that thisforce is suiiicient to permit facing point movements over the switchwith safety. When, however, the switch occupies its normal position anda train trails the switch, the spring unit S3 will continue to exert aforce on the switch points tending to return them to their normalpositions, but, under these conditions, the magnet M -will be energized,and as a result, the

v:movement of the switch points toward their reverse positions caused bythe trailing train will cause the spring unit S2 to exert on the .switchpoints a force which opposes that due to the spring unit S3, and theparts are so proportioned that this force will exceed that due to thespring unit S3. It follows, therefore, that the switch points will beforced to, and held in, their reverse positions by the spring unit S2under these latter conditions as long as magnet M remains energized.Magnet M will, of course, remain energized until the train hascompletely passed the switch, whereupon it will become deenergized. Whenmagnet M becomes deenergized, the spring unit S3 will then be effectiveto restore the switch points to their normal positions.

When it is desired to operate the switch to its reverse position byhand,the manually operable switch lll is rst closed, and the crank 3! is thenrotated from the position in which it is shownY in Fig. l to itsopposite extreme position by means of the hand crank 46. This rotationwill cause the switch to become biasedto its reverse position in thesame manner as .when a train trails Ythe switch, and after the switchhas once become biased to its reverse position it will then remain inthis position until the contact 41 is subsequently opened at which timethe switch will automatically return to its normal position.

If-the switch is trailed after it has been manually operated to itsreverse position,l it will, of

course, snap back to its normal position and remain there even'thoughmagnet Mis energized when the train starts to trail the switch.

One advantage of apparatus embodyingmy invention is that inasmuch as theswitch remains in its reverse position when it is moved to this positionby a train trailing the switch until after the train has completelypassed the switch, the' train can stop and then reverse its directionwithoutdanger of splitting the switch.

Although I have herein shown and described only three forms of railwayswitch operating apparatus embodying my invention, it is understood thatvarious changes and modications may be made therein within the scope ofthe appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of myinvention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. The combination with a switch of the` type adapted to be trailed, ofelectromagnetically controlled latch mechanism, means effective when atrain trails said switch for energizing the electromagnet of said latchmechanism until `after the' train has completely passed said switch, andtoggle mechanism operatively connected with said switch and with saidlatch mechanism and effective when the movable rails of said switch aredisplaced from their normal position by a train' y adapted to betrailed, of an electromagnet, a circuit for said electromagnet includinga source of current and the fixed rails of said switch in par` allel,whereby when a train trails said switch said electromagnet will becomeenergized, and spring means connected with said switch and controlled bysaid electromagnet and leffective when a train trails said switch forbiasing the movable rails of said switch to a position opposite to theirinitially set position and for subsequently retaining the movable railsin such opposite position as long as said electromagnet-remainsenergized.

3. The combination with a switch of the type adapted to be trailed, ofan electromagnet, means for energizing said electromagnet whenever atrain trails said switch, latch mechanism controlled by saidelectromagnet, and a-toggle spring operatively connected with saidswitch and with said latch mechanism in such manner that when saidswitch is displaced from an initially set position `by a train trailingsaid switch said toggle spring will exert a force on said switch vwhichurges said switch to a position opposite to its initially set positionas long as said electro'- magnet remains energized.

4. The combination with a switch of the type adapted to be trailed, ofan electromagnet, means for energizing said electromagnet whenever atrain trails said switch, latch mechanism controlled by saidelectromagnet, and a toggle spring .operatively connected withvsaidswitch and with said latch mechanism in such manner that when saidswitch is displaced fromv an initially set position by a train trailingsaid switch said toggle spring will exert a vforce onl said'switch whichurges said switch to and rholds it in a position opposite to itsinitially set position as long as said electromagnet remains energized.

5. In combination, a railway switch of the type adapted to be trailed, aswitch operating-device movable .between two extreme positions,resilient means for connecting said device with said switch normallyeffective to bias said switch to an extreme position corresponding tothe position of said operating device, electromagnetically controlledlatch mechanism, means for energizingthe electromagnet of said latchmechanism whenever a train trails said switch, and toggle springmechanism connected with said switch and with said latch mechanismand'efective when said switch is displaced from one extreme position bya trailing train for exerting a force on said switch which opposesand-exceeds that exerted on said switch by said resilient means.

6. In combination, a railway switch of the type adapted to be trailed, aswitch operating device movable between two extreme positions, resilientmeans for connecting said-device with said switch normally eiiective tobias said switch to an extreme position corresponding to the position ofsaid operating device, electromagnetically controlled latch mechanism,means for energizing the electromagnet of said latch lmechanism whenevera train trails said switch, and toggle spring mechanism connected withsaid switch and with said latch mechanism and effective when said switchis displaced from one-extreme position by a trailing train for exertinga force on said switch which opposes and exceeds that exerted on saidswitch by said resilient means as long as the lelectromagnet of saidlatch mechanism remains energiZed.

'7. In combination, a railway switch of the type adapted to be trailed,a switch operating device movable between vtwo eXtreme` positions,resilient means for connecting said device with said lswitch normallyeiective to bias said switch to'an ex- `treme position corresponding tothe position of Ysaid device, a first toggle spring operatively con- Ybysaid first spring, an electromagnet, means for energizingsaid'electromagnet whenever a train trails said switcha latch crank,means controlled by said electromagnet for limiting the movement of saidlatch crank when said electromagnet is energized, Vand a second togglespring connected with said switch and with said latch crank andeffective when a train trails said switch and displaces it from its oneextreme position to exert a force on said switch which opposes that dueto said resilient means.

8. AIn combination, a railway switch of the type adapted to vbe trailed,a switch operating device movable between two extreme positions,resilient means for connecting said device with said switch normallyeffective to bias said Yswitch to an `extreme position corresponding tothe position of Vsaid device, a first toggle spring operativelyconnected with said switch in such manner that said switch is biased toits nearest extreme position by said first spring, an electromagnet,means for energizing said electromagnet whenever a train trails saidswitch, a latch crank, means controlled bysaid electromagnet forlimiting the movement of said latch crank when said eletromagnet isenergized, and a second toggle spring connected with said switch-andwith said latch crank in such manner that when a train trails saidswitchfand displaces it from its one extreme position said :secondtoggle spring will exert a force on said switch which opposes that duetosaid resilient means,'which force together with the forceexerted on.saidswitch by said rst spring is sufficient to urge said switch to andhold it in its other `extreme position as :long as said electromagnetremains energized.

v9. In combination, a railway switch of the type adapted to be trailed,a switch operating device `movable .between two extreme positions,resilientmeans for connecting said device with said switch in suchmanner that said switch ywill normally be biased by said resilient meansto an extreme position corresponding to the position of said device, aiirst toggle -spring operatively connected with said switch in suchmanner that said switch is biased to its nearest extreme positionby saidfirst springvby a force which is somewhat less than that normallyexerted by said resilient means, an electromagnet, means for energizingsaid electromagnet whenever a train trails-said switch, a latchcrankcontrolled by said electromagnet andprevented from moving past apredetermined position when said electromagnet is energized, and asecond toggle spring connected with said switch and vwith said latchcrank in such manner that when a-train trails said switch and displacesit from its one extreme position said latch crank will be moved to saidpredetermined position and said second toggle spring will exert a forceon said switch which opposes that due to said resilient means, and whichforce together withthe force exerted on said switch by Y said rstfspringis sufficient to urge said switch to and hold it in its other extremeposition as long as said electromagnet remains energized.

vl0. In combination, a railway switch of the vtype adapted to betrailed, a switch operating device movable between two extremepositions, resilient means for connecting said device with said switchnormally effective to bias said switch to an extreme positioncorresponding to the position of said device, a toggle crank operativelyconnected with said switch, a iirst toggle spring unit operativelyconnected with said toggle crank and effective to bias said switch toits nearest extreme position with a force which is somewhat less thanthat normally exerted on the switch by said resilient means, anelectromagnet, means for energizing said electromagnet whenever a traintrails said switch, an armature controlled by said electromagnet andmovable to an attracted or a released position according as saidelectromagnet is energized or deenergized, a pivoted latch crank movablebetween two extreme positions, a latch dog secured to one arm of saidcrank and cooperating with said armature in such manner that said crankis prevented from rotating in one direction past a position intermediateits two extreme positions when said armature occupies its attractedposition, and a second toggle spring unit operatively connected withsaid toggle crank and with the other arm of said latch crank in suchmanner that if said switch is'displaced from its one extreme position bya trailing train Athe resultant movement of said toggle crank will causesaid latch crank to rotate to its intermediate extreme position and willsubsequently cause said second toggle spring unit to exert a Vforce onsaid switch which opposes that due to saldresilientmeans as long as saidelectromagnet remains energizedl 11. In combination, a railway switch ofthe type adapted to be trailed, a switch operating device movablebetween two extreme positions.

resilient means for connecting said device with said switch normallyeffective to bias said switch to an extreme position corresponding tothe position of said device, a toggle crank operatively connected withsaid switch, a rst toggle spring unit operatively connected with saidtoggle crank and elective to bias said switch to its nearest extremeposition with a force which is somewhat less than that normally exertedon the switch by said resilient means, an electromagnet', means forenergizing said electromagnet whenever la train trails said switch, anarmature controlled by said electromagnet and movable to an attracted ora released position according as said electromagnet is energized ordeenergized, a pivoted latch crank movable between two extremepositions, a latch dog secured to one arm of said crank and cooperatingwith said armature in such manner that said crank is prevented fromrotating in one direction past a position intermediate its two extremepositionswhen said=ar mature occupies its attracted position, y and asecond toggle spring unit operatively connected with said toggle crankand with the other arm of said latch crank in such manner that if saidswitch is displaced from its one extreme position by a trailing trainthe resultant movementof said toggle crank will cause said latch crankto rotate to its intermediate extreme position and will subsequentlycause said second toggle spring unit to exert a force on said switchwhich opposes that due to said resilient means and which together withthe force exerted on said switchbysaid rst spring is suiicient to urgesaid switch to and hold it in its other extreme position as long as saidelectromagnet remains energized. I

l2. In combination, a railway switch oi the type adapted to be trailed,a switch operating device movable between two extreme positions;resilient means for connecting said device with said switch in suchmanner that said switch is normally biased to an extreme positioncorresponding to the position of said operating device, anelectromagnetic latch mechanism, means ior energizing the electromagnetof said latch mechanisrn whenever a train trails said switch, a togglecrank operatively connected with said switch, and a toggle spring unitconnected with said toggle crank and with said latch mechanism in suchmanner that if the switch is trailed away from one extreme position saidtoggle spring unit will act through said toggle crank to exert a forceon said switch which opposes and exceeds that due to said resilientmeans.

13. In combination, a railway switch of the type adapted to be trailed,a toggle crankg'operatively connected with saidswitch, a first springunit connected with said toggle crank and effective for constantlybiasing said switch to one extreme position, an electromagnetic Alatchmechanism, means for energizing the electromagnet of said latchmechanism whenever a train trails said switch, and asecond spring unitconnected with said toggle crank and withsaid latch mechanism in suchmanner that when said switch is displaced from said one extreme positionby a trailing train said second spring unit will exert a force on saidswitch which opposes that due to said first spring unit as long as theelectromagnet o energized.

14. In combination, a railway switch ofthe type adapted to be trailed, atoggle crank-operatively connected with said switch, a first. springunit 'connected with said toggle crank-andefiecsaid latchmechanismremains adapted to be trailed,

'circuit for the magri t rails or said switch 1 of aha-nd crank itsnearestI :its nearest extreme tive for constantly biasing said switchtoone extreme position, an electromagnetic latch mechanism, means forenergizing the electromagnet of said latchmechanism whenever a traintrails said switch, and a second spring unit connected ,5 with saidtoggle crank and with said latch mechanism'in such manner that when saidswitch is displaced from said one extreme position by a trailing trainsaid second spring unit will exert a force on said switch which opposesand exceedsclo that due to said first spring unit as long as theelectromagnet oi said latch mechanism remains energized. i

15. In combination, a railway switch of the type a toggle crankoperativelyi-.l connected with said switch, a first spring unitconnected with said toggle crank and effective for 'constantly biasingsaid switch to one extreme position, an electromagnetic latch mechanism,a

of said latch mechanisms-'20 including a source of current and the twofixed in parallel, and a second spring unit connected with said togglecrank and with said latch mechanism in such manner that when said switchis displaced from said one ex-l treme position by a trailing train saidsecond spring unit will exert a force on said switch which opposes thatdue tosaid first spring unit as long as the magnet of said latchmechanism remains energized. 16. In combination, a railway switch ofithe type adaptedto be trailed, a toggle Vcrank operatively connectedwith said switch, a rst spring Vunit connected with said toggle 'crankand-eiective for constantly biasing said switch toone exitreme position,an electromagnetic latch mechanisrn,a circuit for energizing the magnetof said latch'mechanism whenever a train trails said switch, a secondspring unit connected with said toggle crank and with said latchmechanism in40 manner that the magnet oi said latch mechanism will beenergized whenever said contact is closed,

and means on said toggle crank for the receptionc to permit manualoperationV of said switch from its one extreme position to its otherextremeA position.

` 17. A biasing mechanism comprising a toggle crank movable between twoextreme positions, ai'. 55

,first lspring means connected with said toggle crank and eiiectivetobias said toggle crank to extreme position, electromagnetic latchmechanism, and a second spring means connected with said toggle crankand with saidf latch mechanism and effective ii said toggle crank'ismoved from its one extreme position to its other extreme position whenthe electromagnet of said latch mechanism is energized for exerting onsaid toggle crank a force which opposes 65 that due to said iirst springmeans;

l 18. A biasing mechanism `comprising `a'toggle crank movable betweentwo extreme positions,

a iirst spring means connected with said toggle crank andv effective tobias said toggle crank' to' ,.70

position, electromagnetic latch mechanism, and a second spring meansconnected with said toggle crank and with said .latch mechanism tandeffective if lsaid toggle crank is moved iro-m its one extreme positionto its other;.,75 f

extreme position when the electromagnet of said latch mechanism isenergized for exerting on said its other extreme position when theelectromagnet of said. latch mechanism is energized for exerting on saidtoggle crank a force which opposes that that due to said first springmeans.

22. A biasing crank movable vexceeds that due to said rst spring means.

23. A biasing mechanism comprising a toggle crank movable between twoextreme positions, a

`-ilrst spring means operatively connected with said toggle crank andveffective to bias said toggle crank to `rst spring means.

26. A biasing mechanism comprising a toggle crank movable between twoextreme 27. A biasing mechanism comprising a toggle crank movablebetween two extreme positions, a

connected with said toggle crank and effective to bias said toggle crankto one extreme position, electromagnetic latch mechanism, and a secondspring means connected with said toggle crank and with said latchmechanism and eiective ii said toggle crank is moved from its oneextreme position to its other extreme positionwhen the electromagnet ofsaid latch mechanism is energized for exerting on said toggle crank aforce which opposes that due to said rst spring means as long as theelectromagnet of said latch mechanism subsequently remains energized.

28. A biasing mechanism comprising a toggle crank movable between twoextreme positions, a first spring means connected with said toggle crankand eiective to bias said toggle crank to one extreme position,electromagnetic latch mechanism, and a second spring means connectedwith said toggle crank and with said latch mechanism and eiective ifsaid toggle crank is moved from its one extreme position to its otherextreme position when the electromagnet oi said latch mechanism isenergized for exerting on said toggle crank a force which opposes andexceeds that due to said first spring means as long as the electromagnetof said latch mechanism subsequently remains energized.

29. A biasing mechanism comprising a toggle crank movable between twoextreme positions, a first spring means operatively connected with saidtoggle crank and effective to bias said toggle crank to one extremeposition, a pivoted latch crank movable between two extreme positions,an electromagnet cooperating with said latch crank and eiective whenenergized for preventing said latch crank irom rotating past apredetermined position intermediate its two extreme positions, and asecond spring means operatively connected with said toggle crank andsaid latch crank in such manner that ii said toggle crank is rotatedfrom its one extreme position to its other extreme position when saidelectromagnet is energized said latch crank will be rotated to saidpredetermined position and said second spring means will becomeeffective to exert a force on said toggle crank which opposes that dueto said first spring means.

30. A biasing mechanism comprising a toggle crank movable between twoextreme positions, a rst spring means operatively connected with saidtoggle crank and effective to bias said toggle crank to one extremeposition, a pivoted latch crank movable between two extreme positions,an electromagnet cooperating with said latch crank and eiective whenenergized for preventing said latch crank from rotating past apredetermined position intermediate its' two extreme positions, and asecond spring means operatively connected with said toggle crank andsaid latch crank in such manner that if said toggle crank is rotatedfrom its` one extreme position to its other extreme position when saidelectromagnet is energized said latch crank will be rotated to saidpredetermined position and said second spring means will become eiectiveto exert a force on said toggle crank which opposes and exceeds that dueto said first spring means.

3l. A biasing mechanism comprising a toggle crank movable between twoextreme positions, a rst spring means' operatively connected with saidtoggle crank and effective to bias said toggle crank to one extremeposition, a pivoted latch crank movable between two extreme positions,an electromagnet cooperating with said latch crank and eiective whenenergized for preventing said latch crank from rotating past apredetermined position intermediate its two extreme positions, and asecond spring means operatively connected Awith said' toggle crank andsai-d latch crank, the parts being 'so proportioned that when saidtoggle crank occupies either extreme position said second spring ,meanswill not'exert any force on said toggle crank" but that if said togglecrank is rotated from its one extreme position to its other extremeposition when said electromagnet is energized said latch crank will berotated to said predetermined position and said second spring means willthen become effective to exert a force on said toggle crank whichopposes that due to said rst spring means.

32. A biasing mechanism comprising a toggle crank movable between twoextreme positions, electromagnetic latch mechanism, and spring meansconnected with said latch mechanism and with said toggle crank in suchmanner that when the electromagnet of said latch mechanism isdeenergized said spring means is ineffective to exert any force on saidtoggle crank but that if said toggle crank is rotated from its oneextreme position to its other extreme position when the electromagnet ofsaid latch mechanism is energized said spring means will then becomeeffective to bias said toggle crank to its other extreme position aslong as the electromagnet of said latch mechanism subsequently remainsenergized.

33. The combination with a switch of the type adapted to be trailed, ofmeans for normally biasing said switch to one extreme position, latchmechanism, spring means operatively connected with said latch mechanismand with said switch and effective when said switch is moved from oneextreme position to the other for exerting a force on said switch whichbiases said switch to its other extreme position if said latch mechanismis then latched in a predetermined position, and means for at timeslatching said latch mechanism in said predetermined position.

34. The combination with a switch of the type adapted to be trailed, ofmeans for normally biasing said switch to one extreme position, latchmechanism, spring means operatively connected with said latch mechanismand with said switch and effective when said switch is moved from oneextreme position to the other for exerting a force on said switch whichbiases said switch to its other extreme position if said latch mechanismis then latched in a predetermined position, and means for latching saidlatch mechanism in said predetermined position when a train trails sai-dswitch.

35. The combination with a switch of the type adapted to be trailed, ofmeans for normally biasing said switch to one extreme position, anelectromagnet, means connected with said switch and controlled by saidelectromagnet for biasing said switch to its other extreme position ifsaid switch is moved to its other extreme position when saidelectromagnet is energized, and means for energizing said electromagnetwhenever a train trails said switch.

36. The combination with a switch of the type adapted to be trailed, ofmeans for normally biasing said switch to one extreme position,anelectromagnet, means connected with said switch and controlled by saidelectromagnet and effective for exerting a force on said switch whichopposes that due to said biasing means if said switch is moved to itsother extreme position when said electromagnet is energized, and meansfor energizing said electromagnet whenever a train trails said switch.

37. The combination with" a'switch of thetype adapted 'to"b`e"trai1ed,`of means for'norniallybi'as# ing sid switch to"one extre'positiom anelectromagnet, m'ens connected with said switch and controlled'by sidelcc'tragnet and effective for exerting a force "on said switch which

